I don't get it, I disabled my Bluetooth adapter on my desktop via the Device Manager, but this app can still spot other devices? How to completely turn it off? http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluetooth_viewer.html
Assuming you mean your Bluetooth adapter is integrated with your motherboard (that is, not a USB adapter), then go into the BIOS Setup Menu and disable it there.
OK I see thanks. I do think it's strange that it apparently it can't be disabled via Windows. I also wonder if other devices can spot my PC, I still need to test this.
Spotting your PC and accessing it are two totally different things. If you keep Windows updated, use a current antimalware solution, and are not click-happy on unsolicited links, downloads, and attachments, I would not worry about it.
Yes that's true, but I'm a bit paranoid about wireless connections, so that's why I was unpleasantly surprised.
I don't know if these apply, but just in case: 1) Is the program, directly or indirectly, re-enabling the Bluetooth adapter you tried to disable at the Windows level? 2) Is there some Bluetooth related history/log information kept and being found/reported by the program (even when the adapter *is* firmly disabled)? Let us know how you make out.
The issue is that even when my Bluetooth adapter is disabled, it still seems to pick up devices. I have now changed a setting so that other devices can't see my PC. But I want to completely disable it, I couldn't find any settings in my BIOS. So it seems that the only way is to disable certain Bluetooth services and drivers, but I'm not sure if I want to go this far. Because from experience I know it might sometimes be hard to enable it again.
Well I do think it makes sense to eliminate Bluetooth if/where you can. I think transmit is the main issue, because other devices [beyond your control] may abuse information they capture. However, technically speaking, some software on your device could do the same (perform a promiscuous receive and sniff your environment for inappropriate purposes). You mentioned this is a desktop, and due to range and exposures these issues would likely be of less concern than if it were a mobile device. So you have that going for you. I would have assumed it is reasonably easy to disable it at the Windows level, but I've never really focused on Bluetooth interfaces. I do know that some wireless protocol engine chips/modules support multiple protocols (WiFi and Bluetooth and...), but if properly designed the radios/protocols would be individually controllable.
Yes, that's why I was surprised. But I did read that apparently you first need to let your desktop connect to some device like a smartphone or tv, and after that you can disable Bluetooth via the "PC Settings" app on Win 8 and 10.